Meet Luke Dockery: Towns County’s youngest weatherman
Featured Stories December 19, 2019
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Luke Dockery, a Towns County homeschool student, enjoys weather forecasting, and his passion for the useful hobby is noteworthy. The 15-year-old amateur meteorologist maintains a devout presence on social media, informing the public of weather-related events on a dedicated basis. Whether there be rain, freezing temperatures, or winter precipitation in-store, the jovial teen is always in the know.
“I became interested in the weather back in 2013,” Dockery told FYN. “My dad had a weather radio, and bad weather was moving through. I was so amused by how they worked and alerted. After all the bad weather moved through, I looked them up on how they work and it was so interesting. I decided to start getting some, and I got my first one on Christmas 2015. I was so happy. I got more interested in the weather so I started buying more and collecting them. My collection grew as the years passed.”
Dockery owns and operates an impressive collection of NOAA weather radios, 33 in total.
Dockery became an official National Weather Service (NWS) storm spotter on Oct. 18 following the completion of a SKYWARN training course held at the E-911 center in Young Harris.
The SKYWARN class was designed to prepare participants to identify and report severe weather events, alerting the NWS of meteorological ground conditions and resulting damage to the area. Students, which consisted of citizens and first responders, were provided information on how to determine and monitor the structure of approaching storms, and what to report to the NWS in the event of severe weather.
Each Wednesday at 11:30 am, Dockery conducts the required weekly tests on his vast collection of NOAA weather radios. The 10th-grade homeschooler shares his meteorological knowledge on multiple social media pages including his own, Georgia and Western North Carolina Weather Updates.
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Light Up Hiawassee postponed
Community, News November 29, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – The City of Hiawassee announced “Light Up Hiawassee” will be delayed until Thursday, Dec. 6, due to a 100 percent chance of rain on Saturday.
The event will take place on Hiawassee Town Square, beginning at 4 p.m. and will include children’s activities, such as rock painting, a golf cart parade, CASA luminaries, Christmas carols, and of course, a visit from Santa Claus.
Vendors will be onsite during the festivities. Hiawassee Town Square is scheduled for illumination at dusk.
CodeRed Alert Activated: Winter Storm Warning
News December 8, 2018Cooler weather expected to arrive next weekend
News September 21, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – It would be difficult to realize autumn officially begins tomorrow simply by taking a walk outside, as temperatures continue to soar into the mid-80s. According to meteorologists, however, fall-like weather is slowly making its way to the Georgia mountains, expected to arrive next weekend.
Hiawassee forecast provided by Weather.com
Cloud coverage is forecasted to lower temperatures gradually throughout the coming week, with a full ten-degree drop predicted by Sunday, Sept. 30.
Enjoy the final days of warmer weather as they fade into fall.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Towns, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. – FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. – For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Area responders urge residents to prepare for rounds of rain
News February 17, 2019HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Meteorologists are forecasting a heavy amount of rainfall to descend on the north Georgia and western North Carolina mountains throughout the coming week, warning that possible flash flooding may occur in prone locations. According to the National Weather Service, a total of 5 to 7 inches of rain is expected in the region with the potential of 10 inches of localized precipitation possible.
North Carolina forecast by WNC Weather
Area first responders urge residents to remain aware of current conditions as rainfall amounts accumulate.
Towns County Emergency Management Agency encourages citizens to register with the CodeRED call-text alert system, an automated program that notifies residents of impending concern.
“We are aware of the potential of this storm impact over the next several days,” Towns County EMA Director Rickey Mathis explained to FYN this morning. “I have spoken to the Area 1 GEMA field coordinator as well as the chapter chairman of the Red Cross. If needed, we will open a comfort station for those that may need to evacuate. The situation that is most concerning is a heavy rain 1-2 inches in a short period of time. With the ground saturation, it just runs off. Subscribing to the CodeRED alert system is a great way to get local information, and a great way for us to quickly alert the citizens as well as social media and FYN.”
Residents can subscribe for CodeRED alerts at http://www.townscountyga.org/emergency-alert-system.html
Hiwassee Dam Fire Department is ready should conditions warrant an emergency response. “Our swift water response team is prepared. If you live in flood prone areas, stay alert,” the Murphy, NC department advised. “Monitor the streams as well as NOAA radio. Be prepared to evacuate. The forecast is still not set in stone, but we have seen predictions for anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of rain through Friday. The ground is saturated and the streams are already above normal flow.”
Emergency crews in Towns County, GA, Clay County, NC, and surrounding areas are additionally trained in swift water rescue.
Follow FYN for weather-related updates in our area of coverage.
Fetch Your News is a local now-news outlet, attracting more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Towns, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, and Murray counties, as well as Clay and Cherokee County in N.C. – FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week, reaching between 15,000 to 60,000 on our Facebook page.